Displaced Affections.

Part 4

A little over six months pass and neither Yukimura nor Ai haven’t spoken to each other, alone that is. They would greet each other in passing if they were with other people or in a big group but other than that nothing. It broke her heart. She thought it was because he was still embarrassed about the confession he made but it’s been months. Lord Nobuyuki and his bride came back after the confession and had been noticed together in the garden every day after tea. All she feels now is happiness for them and sends them well wishes. Ai was walking back to the kitchens, to help with dinner. Her body felt a little heavy, maybe she was coming down with a cold. Then, she heard his voice. She looked out at the training area and saw the owner of the voice. “Yukimura,” she whispered. He was training new retainers that arrived a couple of days ago. He was covered in sweat and dirt. She smiled as he helped up his opponent he knocked down. She sighed softly and went on her way but not before being stopped by a certain silver headed ninja. “Little lady.” “Oh hello, Saizo. What can I do for you?” she asked. “Dango.” was all he said. She smiled softly, “Okay, I’ll make some dango.” “And donuts!” yelled Sasuke. She looked over at the boy and gave him a confirming nod. As she walked by Saizo, he whispered “Can you make extra donuts for the little lord? He’s been craving some for a few weeks now.” She looked up at the man, he had a sad smile on his face, his eyes showed that he cared for his friend. She gave him a small smile. “Yeah, I’ll make extra for him,” she whispered back. Saizo slowly closed his eyes, like a cat and nodded once. He walked off, probably to his napping tree. ________________________________________ Yukimura knew when she was near and looked over and saw her talking to Saizo. She was smiling. His heart soared but also ached. He knew avoiding her wasn’t helping him get closer to her but his declaration of chivalry didn’t go well, and he felt ashamed, He jumped to conclusions about that night and didn’t get her side of things before opening his mouth. “Little Lord, maybe it’s time to take a break.” said a lounging Saizo. He looked up at Saizo, who was lounging in a tree and then around the training yard. Most of the men around were breathing heavily and looked like they were about to fall over. He sighed. “Okay everyone, we’re done. Great work today.” he yelled out. Everyone dropped to their knees or backs. He felt guilty that he worked them to hard and long. He wanted to work hard and long but forgot that he was training new retainers, and they weren’t use to his training yet. “Hey, did you see that cute maid earlier?” asked one of the young men. “Yeah. I didn’t know that the palace was hiding these cuties. I would’ve signed up months ago.” replied another. “I wonder if I’ll see her again.” said the first. “What? You think you have a chance with her?” Yukimura’s hand tightened around his bamboo sword. He knew they were talking about Ai. He knew he shouldn’t get angry over their talk, but he couldn’t help it. They were talking about the woman he loves. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I? I’m a strong and handsome guy, what woman wouldn’t want to share my bed?” the young man laughed. The other man swiped him upside the head, “Oh yeah? She’ll be running for the hills once she sees you're coming.” They started to wrestle around in the dirt, like they were the only two people there. Yukimura stood a few yards away from the brats, with a scary look on his face. No one else noticed his scowl, except for Saizo. He noticed the air around Yukimura change as soon as the whelps started talking about Ai. He slowly got down from his tree and quietly walked up behind them and waited for them to get into the right place. Once they were in an upright position, laughing, he quickly placed his hands on one side of each of their heads and knocked their heads together. They yelped in pain and turned to look at Saizo. “What was that for?” one of them asked while rubbing his sore head. “Yeah and who the hell are you and what right do you have for that stunt?” asked the other while still clutching his head. Saizo looked down at them, giving them an intimidating stare, “Do not go near the little lady. She is off-limits to you and any new retainer here.” The men stood up and faced Saizo. The man who made the first comment about Ai didn’t back down, “You have no right to make that kind of order.” “Actually he does,” says Yukimura walking up next to Saizo, “He is one of the Sanada Ten Braves, Kirigakure Saizo. Know your place retainer.” The young retainer pulled back his hand, making a fist and was about to strike Yukimura when an older retainer tackled the man down the ground. The other man backed away from the struggling brutes. “Get the hell off me! I was only defending myself.” he yelled. “You were going to assault our Lord Sanada Yukimura, The sword of Japan.” said the older retainer. The color in the young man’s face drained, he looked up at Yukimura and Saizo. _______________________________________________ In the kitchens, Ai was finishing up frying a batch of donuts while the dango dough sat. She was just turning the donuts over to brown the other side when Umeko came flying in sputtering incoherently. Matsuko took hold of the woman by the shoulders, “Umeko, calm down and use actually words. We can’t understand rambling.” Umeko took deep calming breaths, she started to speak with a little speed with her words. “One of the new retainers attempted to bushwhack Lord Yukimura and now I just saw some older retainers tossing him out at the front gate.” Matsuko released Umeko, she heaved a sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. “So that’s the reason why you came running in here like you had an Akuma chasing you?” Umeko nodded vigorously. “That happens every time we get new retainers! They just want to show off who has the bigger balls! Ai please tell this airhead that this happens every year.” Matsuko waited for Ai to say something but was met with silence, she turned to look at her. She noticed the far look in her eyes as she went through the motions of molding and frying donuts. Umeko didn’t notice as she walked up beside her and tapped her on her shoulder. “Ai? Are you okay?” she asked. She was still lost in thought, turning over another donut. Matsuko and Umeko looked at each other with looks of concern, wondering what is going on in her mind. “Ai?” asked a serene voice. That snapped Ai out of her thoughts, her head quickly turned towards the door where the voice came from. In the doorway stood Lord Nobuyuki. “Yes, my lord?” she asked “Are you available after you’re done in here?” “I just have to finish making some dango then I’ll be done till dinner.” she answered. “Perfect, can you bring tea to the study, enough for three servings please?” he asked sweetly. She gave a small nod, “Yes, my Lord.” He smiled and went on his way. Matsuko went up beside Ai,” Are you sure that’s wise Ai? Shouldn’t you let either myself or Umeko bring him tea?” Ai looked at Matsuko’s dark brown eyes and nodded with a smile. “I’ll be fine Matsuko. I now realized that what I felt for Lord Nuboyuki was just an infatuation, not true love. Matsuko was shocked at her statement, but she smiled, “I’ll put the kettle on for you while you finish up.” “Thank you Matsuko.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After she served Saizo and Sasuke their treats, she took a tray of treats and tea to the study where Lord Nobuyuki was waiting. She knocked on the sliding door and heard someone say ‘come in’. When she slides open the door she saw that all three Sanada men were sitting around a map and were talking about war strategy. Then it hit her, she looked down at the tray and remembered that Saizo had snatched up some donuts before Sasuke could stuff his cheeks with all the golden rings. She must’ve looked at the ninja confused because he said, “For the little lord when you see him.” She knew before she could even get in throwing distance of him he would bolt from her. “That kitsune.” she thought. The sly ninja knew he would be here. She mentally damned and thanked him. She started making her way around the group, starting with Lord Masayuki, then Lord Nobuyuki, pouring tea and placing plates of treats within reach. When she got to Yukimura, she noticed his body tense up, his cheek had a slight coloring to them. He looked like he wanted to run, but couldn’t. He gave her a couple side glances, but was still listening and giving his input in the conversation. She placed the tea cup in his reach and poured the tea. When the lat drop hit the cup, he snatched up and took a big gulp of the piping hot tea. His eyes grew wide, and he made a small yelp and started fanning his open mouth. “Yukimura, how many times are you going to burn your mouth till you learn to wait patiently?” asked Masayuki with a giggle. Nubuyuki was holding in a laugh. “Sorry, Father.” he said. Ai smiled. She found him quite adorable. She finally placed to plate of donuts where Yukimura could see them. His eyes lit up, like a shining star, at the golden brown rings. That look made her feel giddy as a child in a sweets shop. She bowed to the men, “I’ll return for the dished later, my Lords.” Masayuki nodded and waved his hand and continued talking of battle. She quietly stood and left the room. She was heading back to the kitchens to drop off the tray, her mind kept going back to Yukimura’s smile. “Definitely more beautiful that his brother’s.” she said to no one in-particular. She then started to think about the conversation she had with Lord Masayuki. He suggested that she think about what she liked about the men that she had confusing emotions for and if one gets more than the other than she’ll know who her heart truly belongs to. That night that’s exactly what she did. She wrote out what traits or actions they’ve done or even talks they’ve she had with them since coming to the palace. Her list had more for Yukimura had more than her list for Nobuyuki. While she was lost in thought, Saizo appeared in her line of sight, he had a knowing smile plastered on his face. And some times she hated that smile. “So little lady, the little lord loved his donuts,” he said as a statement. She smiled, “He always has, ever since I started making them for him.” she replied as she passed the smug looking ninja.

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To be continued.

Displaced Affections

Part 2

Ai sat on the veranda, just watching the sunset. The oranges, reds, and yellows showed that the world was joyful and peaceful, but in her heart there was a storm cloud hanging in her chest.

A couple of weeks ago, Sasuke told her that Nobuyuki and his bride were getting married in the bride’s providence so her clans leader, her father, can see her get married. 

Her heart broke even more as the Nobuyuki she knew kept getting further and further away from her.

Tonight was a big celebration feast for his marriage. All the food she and the other cooks prepared was gone, saké flasks were being passed around and more was being brought in. Lord Masayuki retired a few hours earlier, Sasuke was passed out on the floor clutching a shurkin, and mumbling about Saizo teaching him ninja skills. Lord Yukimura was as always, deep into his cups and trying to get Saizo to arm wrestle him, but he was giving into the drunk man’s demands. 

Ai excused herself from the festivities to unwind and maybe go to the bath and cry over her broken heart but the sunset had stopped her and now she just sitting and watching the moon glowing against the night’s sky. 

Tears started to well up and threaten to fall, when she heard someone stumbling around the hallway. She quickly fanned her face and took deep calming breathes, trying to get the tears to hold off till later.

She turned to look at who was coming down the hallways but heard a thud instead seeing of a person. Her head cocked to one side as she waited for them to get up. After a few minutes of sitting there and not seeing anyone, Ai got up from the floor and went to investigate who had fallen.

She groaned as she realized it was Yukimura, lying on his back. He had drunkenly left the feast and walked in the wrong direction of his chambers. That meant she had to carry(drag) this warrior to his room and pray that someone will have mercy on her struggling to get him to bed.

She knelt down near his head and just looked over his features. She heard from so many people about how him and his brother look so a like but to her they look nothing alike. Yukimura’s hair was more silver whereas Nuboyuki’s was grey. Yukimura’s skin was tan and had faint scars on his face, neck and on his partial expose chest. Nobuyuki had pale pristine skin. 

As she was looking over the sleeping lord, he started to speak. “Ai, it will be okay. I’m here for you.”

Her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. She was grateful that no one else was around to see her get flustered. She vigorously shook her head, she hooked her arms under his armpits and started pulling him up off the floor.

“Okay Lord Yukimura, it’s time for you to go to bed.” 

“I don’t wanna go to bed,” he whined. 

She again shook her head, he sounded his a child who wasn’t getting his way.

“I’m sorry my Lord but you’re drunk and need to sleep off the bottles of saké you drank.” she got him somewhat standing, she then lifted his arm and placed it around her neck with her shoulder against his side and wrapped her hand on his other side.

She started leading him back towards the dinning hall, where there were still some rowdy men still drinking the night away. She was hoping one of them would come out and see her struggling with Yukimura but sadly they were too busy.

They were almost into his room when he decided to lean into her causing her to lose her balance and they both toppled over, with him landing on top of her. She wiggled and squirmed, trying to get out from under him, she even started smacking him on the top of his head but that didn’t work.

“Well look at this sight.” said a very familiar voice.

She groan inwardly, “Is there something I can do for you, Saizo?”

“Nothing in particular, just seeing this makes my night.”  

“If you don’t need anything and you’re not going to help me get out of this situation then you can leave but please close the door.” she said hoping he would help her.

“Okay.” he said sliding the door closed.

She let out a long and deep sigh. She was frustrated, all she wanted to do was wallow in her own self pity, and maybe drink a few cups of sake but nope those plans were ruined because of this drunken lord. 

As Ai sat there and was berating a sleeping man, his arms suddenly wrapped around her waist and squeezed her, and his face snuggling into her breasts. Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head and her face felt like it was on fire. 

“So warm,” he whispered.

She felt like her heart was going to burst from her chest as he cuddled up to her and slept like a log.

Does this man have no shame? She asked herself.

She slowly got use to him embracing her and started watching him sleep and saw him smile in his sleep. She only saw him smiling at others and while drinking, sure he smiled around her but it wasn't a happy smile more of a nervous smile. She understood why he did that kind of smile towards her and had gotten use to it but now she wanted to see this smile more and wondered what he was dreaming of that made him smile like that and if she could recreate that smile one day.

As she admires his smile, Yukimura's warmth started to make her sleepy. As her eyes closed, she heard the door slide open and a very disappointed sigh.

"What am I going to do with you two?"

Then everything went black.

To be continued.

@zavannahmj